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Road sign of Witton Lane by the Church of St Peter & St Paul.
This is the historic church down the road from Villa Park. It makes the perfect snowy wintery scene what with all that snow.
It is a Grade II* listed building, currently listed as the Anglican Church of Ss Peter & Paul. It was formerly listed as the Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul, Witton Lane, Witton. But it is actually in Aston. It is quite close to the Aston Expressway - A38(M).
It is the only church in Birmingham mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086 (although nothing from that time remains). The current church dates from the 15th to the 19th centuries.
Selected details from Heritage Gateway:
An Anglican parish church, originating before 1086, though nothing visible survives from this date. The west tower dates from the C15, with its spire renewed in 1776-7 by John Cheshire (circa 1739-1812); otherwise the church dates from 1879-90, with the south porch added in 1908, all to designs by Julius Alfred Chatwin (1830-1907). The church is constructed from brownish-grey sandstone, under slate roofs.
The building is set on a moulded sandstone plinth, and has angle buttresses and pitched roofs. There is a west tower of four stages with angle buttresses, three-light windows and an unusual treatment of the bell stage, which has rows of segment-headed recesses with two tiers of trefoil-headed panels; the central pair are louvred, those flanking are blind. The stages are marked by moulded string courses. The tower is surmounted by an elegant, broachless octagonal spire. The tower, nave and chancel have unifying crenellations. The aisle windows and those to the south (Erdington) chapel have simple Y-tracery, with drip moulds and some head stops, in part to accommodate stained glass from the earlier church. The clerestory has windows of three lights, with cusped heads and trefoils in Decorated tracery above. The nave and chancel are continuous, the transition between the two marked by large pinnacles with gargoyles at their bases. The high, five-sided chancel has tall buttresses with multiple off-sets, and three-light windows with continuous mullions, those to the sides with similar tracery to those in the clerestory. Nave, chancel and chapel have gargoyles and moulded detailing.
This is The Holte Pub as seen from Trinity Road.
The Holte is a pub at the corner of Trinity Road and Witton Lane in Aston. It was formerly owned by Mitchells and Butlers. I was closed for around 30 years before being restored in 2007 (thanks to new chairman Randy Lerner).
It is a Victorian building, dating from at least 1897. It was built as The Holte Hotel. It used to have 10 bedrooms, it's own 400 capacity music hall, billiard rooms and two bowling greens. The hotel, essentially a late Victorian pub, was located adjacent to Villa Park, one of the most historic stadiums in England.
The name Holte is synonymous with Villa Park’s Holte End, which was once the largest Kop in the country. The massive Holte End stand used to hold up to 22,600 supporters.
The Holte Hotel, which originates back to 1897, has been derelict and boarded up for 28 years until Villa's new billionaire owner Randy Lerner and his team sanctioned its restoration.
The pub is seen as a local landmark and was once a popular drinking hole for fans until the late 1970s and will now give Villa Park an impressive facade. It is also the first glimpse visiting supporters have as they approach the ground in Aston from the M6 motorway.
This is Witton Station, the closest train station to Villa Park, home of Aston Villa FC (Aston Station is further away from the stadium).
The station first opened in 1837. The current shelters date to the 1950s.
Sign - Witton for Villa Park - Aston Villa Football Club
Birmingham City Centre on the FA Cup Final 2015 day!
Aston Villa flags outside Birmingham Moor Street Station. Assume that fans could buy them here, and catch a train with Chiltern Railways to Wembley Stadium!
Aston Villa face Arsenal (the 2014 Cup holders) in the final.
30th May 2015.
Villa's last FA Cup Final was in 2000, where they lost to Chelsea. The last final they won was way back in 1957 against Manchester United!
Villa lost 4-0 to Arsenal.
The BBC & other news crews were seen waiting for around two weeks (from the begining of June 2011) at Villa Park waiting for Villa to annuonce the appointment of a new manager after Villa's previous manager Gerard Houllier had resigned due to ill health. On the 17th June 2011 the controversal desision was made to appoint Alex McLeish from Villa's rivals Birmingham City,this just five days after he resigned from his post at St.Andrews causing shock and anger amongst both sets of fans!
(photo simon hayward 2011)
Birmingham City Centre on the FA Cup Final 2015 day!
Aston Villa flags outside Birmingham Moor Street Station. Assume that fans could buy them here, and catch a train with Chiltern Railways to Wembley Stadium!
Aston Villa face Arsenal (the 2014 Cup holders) in the final.
30th May 2015.
Villa's last FA Cup Final was in 2000, where they lost to Chelsea. The last final they won was way back in 1957 against Manchester United!
Villa lost 4-0 to Arsenal.
This is Witton Station, the closest train station to Villa Park, home of Aston Villa FC (Aston Station is further away from the stadium).
The station first opened in 1837. The current shelters date to the 1950s.
Sign - Witton for Villa Park - Aston Villa Football Club
This is the historic church down the road from Villa Park. It makes the perfect snowy wintery scene what with all that snow.
It is a Grade II* listed building, currently listed as the Anglican Church of Ss Peter & Paul. It was formerly listed as the Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul, Witton Lane, Witton. But it is actually in Aston. It is quite close to the Aston Expressway - A38(M).
It is the only church in Birmingham mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086 (although nothing from that time remains). The current church dates from the 15th to the 19th centuries.
Selected details from Heritage Gateway:
An Anglican parish church, originating before 1086, though nothing visible survives from this date. The west tower dates from the C15, with its spire renewed in 1776-7 by John Cheshire (circa 1739-1812); otherwise the church dates from 1879-90, with the south porch added in 1908, all to designs by Julius Alfred Chatwin (1830-1907). The church is constructed from brownish-grey sandstone, under slate roofs.
The building is set on a moulded sandstone plinth, and has angle buttresses and pitched roofs. There is a west tower of four stages with angle buttresses, three-light windows and an unusual treatment of the bell stage, which has rows of segment-headed recesses with two tiers of trefoil-headed panels; the central pair are louvred, those flanking are blind. The stages are marked by moulded string courses. The tower is surmounted by an elegant, broachless octagonal spire. The tower, nave and chancel have unifying crenellations. The aisle windows and those to the south (Erdington) chapel have simple Y-tracery, with drip moulds and some head stops, in part to accommodate stained glass from the earlier church. The clerestory has windows of three lights, with cusped heads and trefoils in Decorated tracery above. The nave and chancel are continuous, the transition between the two marked by large pinnacles with gargoyles at their bases. The high, five-sided chancel has tall buttresses with multiple off-sets, and three-light windows with continuous mullions, those to the sides with similar tracery to those in the clerestory. Nave, chancel and chapel have gargoyles and moulded detailing.
Anglican Church of St Peter & St Paul - Heritage Gateway
Clock on the spire.
This is Witton Station, the closest train station to Villa Park, home of Aston Villa FC (Aston Station is further away from the stadium).
The station first opened in 1837. The current shelters date to the 1950s.
Signs pointing the way from Witton Station to the left for Aston Villa FC.
Near the Witton Arms public house.
This is the Trinity Road Stand at Villa Park. It was built in 2000/01 to replace an old stand that had been demolished (which was built in 1922).
Second half of the sign on the Trinity Road sign - this one says Football Club. A bit of sun was reflecting on the word Club.
This stand was opened prior to the European Championships, in 1996, in which Villa Park was a host. Opposite is the latest edition. The three tiered Trinity Road Stand, complete with a row of executive boxes was opened in 2001.
Southampton FC v Aston Villa FC at St Mary's Southampton. Saints last home game of 2014 / 2015 season. Saints 6 Villa 1. Sado Mane scored the fastest ever hat trick in the Premier League, scoring 3 goals in 2 minutes and 56 seconds!
This is Witton Station, the closest train station to Villa Park, home of Aston Villa FC (Aston Station is further away from the stadium).
The station first opened in 1837. The current shelters date to the 1950s.
Mind the Gap
This is the historic church down the road from Villa Park. It makes the perfect snowy wintery scene what with all that snow.
It is a Grade II* listed building, currently listed as the Anglican Church of Ss Peter & Paul. It was formerly listed as the Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul, Witton Lane, Witton. But it is actually in Aston. It is quite close to the Aston Expressway - A38(M).
It is the only church in Birmingham mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086 (although nothing from that time remains). The current church dates from the 15th to the 19th centuries.
Selected details from Heritage Gateway:
An Anglican parish church, originating before 1086, though nothing visible survives from this date. The west tower dates from the C15, with its spire renewed in 1776-7 by John Cheshire (circa 1739-1812); otherwise the church dates from 1879-90, with the south porch added in 1908, all to designs by Julius Alfred Chatwin (1830-1907). The church is constructed from brownish-grey sandstone, under slate roofs.
The building is set on a moulded sandstone plinth, and has angle buttresses and pitched roofs. There is a west tower of four stages with angle buttresses, three-light windows and an unusual treatment of the bell stage, which has rows of segment-headed recesses with two tiers of trefoil-headed panels; the central pair are louvred, those flanking are blind. The stages are marked by moulded string courses. The tower is surmounted by an elegant, broachless octagonal spire. The tower, nave and chancel have unifying crenellations. The aisle windows and those to the south (Erdington) chapel have simple Y-tracery, with drip moulds and some head stops, in part to accommodate stained glass from the earlier church. The clerestory has windows of three lights, with cusped heads and trefoils in Decorated tracery above. The nave and chancel are continuous, the transition between the two marked by large pinnacles with gargoyles at their bases. The high, five-sided chancel has tall buttresses with multiple off-sets, and three-light windows with continuous mullions, those to the sides with similar tracery to those in the clerestory. Nave, chancel and chapel have gargoyles and moulded detailing.
Anglican Church of St Peter & St Paul - Heritage Gateway
Sign of the church.
Arsenal's first competitive game at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal v Aston Villa - 19 August 2006
Barclays Premiership
This is Witton Station, the closest train station to Villa Park, home of Aston Villa FC (Aston Station is further away from the stadium).
The station first opened in 1837. The current shelters date to the 1950s.
Sign - Witton for Villa Park - Aston Villa Football Club
This is the historic church down the road from Villa Park. It makes the perfect snowy wintery scene what with all that snow.
It is a Grade II* listed building, currently listed as the Anglican Church of Ss Peter & Paul. It was formerly listed as the Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul, Witton Lane, Witton. But it is actually in Aston. It is quite close to the Aston Expressway - A38(M).
It is the only church in Birmingham mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086 (although nothing from that time remains). The current church dates from the 15th to the 19th centuries.
Selected details from Heritage Gateway:
An Anglican parish church, originating before 1086, though nothing visible survives from this date. The west tower dates from the C15, with its spire renewed in 1776-7 by John Cheshire (circa 1739-1812); otherwise the church dates from 1879-90, with the south porch added in 1908, all to designs by Julius Alfred Chatwin (1830-1907). The church is constructed from brownish-grey sandstone, under slate roofs.
The building is set on a moulded sandstone plinth, and has angle buttresses and pitched roofs. There is a west tower of four stages with angle buttresses, three-light windows and an unusual treatment of the bell stage, which has rows of segment-headed recesses with two tiers of trefoil-headed panels; the central pair are louvred, those flanking are blind. The stages are marked by moulded string courses. The tower is surmounted by an elegant, broachless octagonal spire. The tower, nave and chancel have unifying crenellations. The aisle windows and those to the south (Erdington) chapel have simple Y-tracery, with drip moulds and some head stops, in part to accommodate stained glass from the earlier church. The clerestory has windows of three lights, with cusped heads and trefoils in Decorated tracery above. The nave and chancel are continuous, the transition between the two marked by large pinnacles with gargoyles at their bases. The high, five-sided chancel has tall buttresses with multiple off-sets, and three-light windows with continuous mullions, those to the sides with similar tracery to those in the clerestory. Nave, chancel and chapel have gargoyles and moulded detailing.
Anglican Church of St Peter & St Paul - Heritage Gateway
The church spire.
This is the historic church down the road from Villa Park. It makes the perfect snowy wintery scene what with all that snow.
It is a Grade II* listed building, currently listed as the Anglican Church of Ss Peter & Paul. It was formerly listed as the Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul, Witton Lane, Witton. But it is actually in Aston. It is quite close to the Aston Expressway - A38(M).
It is the only church in Birmingham mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086 (although nothing from that time remains). The current church dates from the 15th to the 19th centuries.
Selected details from Heritage Gateway:
An Anglican parish church, originating before 1086, though nothing visible survives from this date. The west tower dates from the C15, with its spire renewed in 1776-7 by John Cheshire (circa 1739-1812); otherwise the church dates from 1879-90, with the south porch added in 1908, all to designs by Julius Alfred Chatwin (1830-1907). The church is constructed from brownish-grey sandstone, under slate roofs.
The building is set on a moulded sandstone plinth, and has angle buttresses and pitched roofs. There is a west tower of four stages with angle buttresses, three-light windows and an unusual treatment of the bell stage, which has rows of segment-headed recesses with two tiers of trefoil-headed panels; the central pair are louvred, those flanking are blind. The stages are marked by moulded string courses. The tower is surmounted by an elegant, broachless octagonal spire. The tower, nave and chancel have unifying crenellations. The aisle windows and those to the south (Erdington) chapel have simple Y-tracery, with drip moulds and some head stops, in part to accommodate stained glass from the earlier church. The clerestory has windows of three lights, with cusped heads and trefoils in Decorated tracery above. The nave and chancel are continuous, the transition between the two marked by large pinnacles with gargoyles at their bases. The high, five-sided chancel has tall buttresses with multiple off-sets, and three-light windows with continuous mullions, those to the sides with similar tracery to those in the clerestory. Nave, chancel and chapel have gargoyles and moulded detailing.
Anglican Church of St Peter & St Paul - Heritage Gateway
A War Memorial in the churchyard of St Peter & St Paul, Aston. Dedicated to the memory of the 8th Battalian The Royal Warwickshire Regiment in the First and Second World Wars. For those who served in France and Belgium.
Back to Aston Station after another look around the area. Seen on New Years Day 2016.
By this point it was raining.
Steps from Lichfield Road up to the platform for Birmingham New Street.
The first bit of Villa Park that I approached. Near the claret and blue gates is the Trinity Road Ticket Office.
One of the reasons that I wanted to take photos of Villa Park was this new statue of William McGregor. What I didn't realise was that I would have to poke the camera (or the lens) through the bars of the gates to get my shots (and zoom in).
Never the less some of the shots you can't even tell that I took them through the gates (apart from the ones with the gates in the shots).
McGregor was one of the founders of the Football League in 1888. Aston Villa was one of the 12 founding members of the first ever Football League.
It does look nice surrounded by the snow.
Does snow not settle on bronze statues?
Behind the statue is the Trinity Road Reception.
The statue was sculpted by Sam Holland, who took references from photos and a portrait in the McGregor Suite.
This is Witton Station, the closest train station to Villa Park, home of Aston Villa FC (Aston Station is further away from the stadium).
The station first opened in 1837. The current shelters date to the 1950s.
Small ticket office on Platform 1. Closed. Might also be a waiting room (not sure). Not sure if you can get tickets from here now.
Closed ticket desk and staff door.
This is the historic church down the road from Villa Park. It makes the perfect snowy wintery scene what with all that snow.
It is a Grade II* listed building, currently listed as the Anglican Church of Ss Peter & Paul. It was formerly listed as the Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul, Witton Lane, Witton. But it is actually in Aston. It is quite close to the Aston Expressway - A38(M).
It is the only church in Birmingham mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086 (although nothing from that time remains). The current church dates from the 15th to the 19th centuries.
Selected details from Heritage Gateway:
An Anglican parish church, originating before 1086, though nothing visible survives from this date. The west tower dates from the C15, with its spire renewed in 1776-7 by John Cheshire (circa 1739-1812); otherwise the church dates from 1879-90, with the south porch added in 1908, all to designs by Julius Alfred Chatwin (1830-1907). The church is constructed from brownish-grey sandstone, under slate roofs.
The building is set on a moulded sandstone plinth, and has angle buttresses and pitched roofs. There is a west tower of four stages with angle buttresses, three-light windows and an unusual treatment of the bell stage, which has rows of segment-headed recesses with two tiers of trefoil-headed panels; the central pair are louvred, those flanking are blind. The stages are marked by moulded string courses. The tower is surmounted by an elegant, broachless octagonal spire. The tower, nave and chancel have unifying crenellations. The aisle windows and those to the south (Erdington) chapel have simple Y-tracery, with drip moulds and some head stops, in part to accommodate stained glass from the earlier church. The clerestory has windows of three lights, with cusped heads and trefoils in Decorated tracery above. The nave and chancel are continuous, the transition between the two marked by large pinnacles with gargoyles at their bases. The high, five-sided chancel has tall buttresses with multiple off-sets, and three-light windows with continuous mullions, those to the sides with similar tracery to those in the clerestory. Nave, chancel and chapel have gargoyles and moulded detailing.
This is the historic church down the road from Villa Park. It makes the perfect snowy wintery scene what with all that snow.
It is a Grade II* listed building, currently listed as the Anglican Church of Ss Peter & Paul. It was formerly listed as the Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul, Witton Lane, Witton. But it is actually in Aston. It is quite close to the Aston Expressway - A38(M).
It is the only church in Birmingham mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086 (although nothing from that time remains). The current church dates from the 15th to the 19th centuries.
Selected details from Heritage Gateway:
An Anglican parish church, originating before 1086, though nothing visible survives from this date. The west tower dates from the C15, with its spire renewed in 1776-7 by John Cheshire (circa 1739-1812); otherwise the church dates from 1879-90, with the south porch added in 1908, all to designs by Julius Alfred Chatwin (1830-1907). The church is constructed from brownish-grey sandstone, under slate roofs.
The building is set on a moulded sandstone plinth, and has angle buttresses and pitched roofs. There is a west tower of four stages with angle buttresses, three-light windows and an unusual treatment of the bell stage, which has rows of segment-headed recesses with two tiers of trefoil-headed panels; the central pair are louvred, those flanking are blind. The stages are marked by moulded string courses. The tower is surmounted by an elegant, broachless octagonal spire. The tower, nave and chancel have unifying crenellations. The aisle windows and those to the south (Erdington) chapel have simple Y-tracery, with drip moulds and some head stops, in part to accommodate stained glass from the earlier church. The clerestory has windows of three lights, with cusped heads and trefoils in Decorated tracery above. The nave and chancel are continuous, the transition between the two marked by large pinnacles with gargoyles at their bases. The high, five-sided chancel has tall buttresses with multiple off-sets, and three-light windows with continuous mullions, those to the sides with similar tracery to those in the clerestory. Nave, chancel and chapel have gargoyles and moulded detailing.
Anglican Church of Ss Peter and Paul, Birmingham
The church spire.
This is the historic church down the road from Villa Park. It makes the perfect snowy wintery scene what with all that snow.
It is a Grade II* listed building, currently listed as the Anglican Church of Ss Peter & Paul. It was formerly listed as the Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul, Witton Lane, Witton. But it is actually in Aston. It is quite close to the Aston Expressway - A38(M).
It is the only church in Birmingham mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086 (although nothing from that time remains). The current church dates from the 15th to the 19th centuries.
Selected details from Heritage Gateway:
An Anglican parish church, originating before 1086, though nothing visible survives from this date. The west tower dates from the C15, with its spire renewed in 1776-7 by John Cheshire (circa 1739-1812); otherwise the church dates from 1879-90, with the south porch added in 1908, all to designs by Julius Alfred Chatwin (1830-1907). The church is constructed from brownish-grey sandstone, under slate roofs.
The building is set on a moulded sandstone plinth, and has angle buttresses and pitched roofs. There is a west tower of four stages with angle buttresses, three-light windows and an unusual treatment of the bell stage, which has rows of segment-headed recesses with two tiers of trefoil-headed panels; the central pair are louvred, those flanking are blind. The stages are marked by moulded string courses. The tower is surmounted by an elegant, broachless octagonal spire. The tower, nave and chancel have unifying crenellations. The aisle windows and those to the south (Erdington) chapel have simple Y-tracery, with drip moulds and some head stops, in part to accommodate stained glass from the earlier church. The clerestory has windows of three lights, with cusped heads and trefoils in Decorated tracery above. The nave and chancel are continuous, the transition between the two marked by large pinnacles with gargoyles at their bases. The high, five-sided chancel has tall buttresses with multiple off-sets, and three-light windows with continuous mullions, those to the sides with similar tracery to those in the clerestory. Nave, chancel and chapel have gargoyles and moulded detailing.
Anglican Church of Ss Peter and Paul, Birmingham
The church spire.
This is Witton Station, the closest train station to Villa Park, home of Aston Villa FC (Aston Station is further away from the stadium).
The station first opened in 1837. The current shelters date to the 1950s.
The railway bridge in Witton, painted in Aston Villa's colours. It could do with a repaint.
Heading back to Witton Station from Brookvale Road (onto Witton Road).
You can get the 11A or 11C Outer Circle bus from here (it is on the A4040).
Heading under the bridge is a Dennis fire engine.
Entrance to the station on the left (up the ramps).
Been meaning to get a shot of the Villa shop on New Street for a while now.
Was going to do it on the weekend before Villa lost the Carling Cup Final (2010), then I thought about it the weekend Villa lost the FA Cup Semi Final (2010) - although those times I didn't get my camera out or was put off by New Street being busy.
I have in the past got the odd T-shirt or top from here (not season strips as those go out of date when they get a new strip for the new season).
The day after I took this, Aston Villa lost 6-0 to Newcastle United! We need a new Manager fast!
As of 2017 the shop has closed down.
This is the historic church down the road from Villa Park. It makes the perfect snowy wintery scene what with all that snow.
It is a Grade II* listed building, currently listed as the Anglican Church of Ss Peter & Paul. It was formerly listed as the Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul, Witton Lane, Witton. But it is actually in Aston. It is quite close to the Aston Expressway - A38(M).
It is the only church in Birmingham mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086 (although nothing from that time remains). The current church dates from the 15th to the 19th centuries.
Selected details from Heritage Gateway:
An Anglican parish church, originating before 1086, though nothing visible survives from this date. The west tower dates from the C15, with its spire renewed in 1776-7 by John Cheshire (circa 1739-1812); otherwise the church dates from 1879-90, with the south porch added in 1908, all to designs by Julius Alfred Chatwin (1830-1907). The church is constructed from brownish-grey sandstone, under slate roofs.
The building is set on a moulded sandstone plinth, and has angle buttresses and pitched roofs. There is a west tower of four stages with angle buttresses, three-light windows and an unusual treatment of the bell stage, which has rows of segment-headed recesses with two tiers of trefoil-headed panels; the central pair are louvred, those flanking are blind. The stages are marked by moulded string courses. The tower is surmounted by an elegant, broachless octagonal spire. The tower, nave and chancel have unifying crenellations. The aisle windows and those to the south (Erdington) chapel have simple Y-tracery, with drip moulds and some head stops, in part to accommodate stained glass from the earlier church. The clerestory has windows of three lights, with cusped heads and trefoils in Decorated tracery above. The nave and chancel are continuous, the transition between the two marked by large pinnacles with gargoyles at their bases. The high, five-sided chancel has tall buttresses with multiple off-sets, and three-light windows with continuous mullions, those to the sides with similar tracery to those in the clerestory. Nave, chancel and chapel have gargoyles and moulded detailing.
Anglican Church of St Peter & St Paul - Heritage Gateway
Clock on the spire.
The first bit of Villa Park that I approached. Near the claret and blue gates is the Trinity Road Ticket Office.
One of the reasons that I wanted to take photos of Villa Park was this new statue of William McGregor. What I didn't realise was that I would have to poke the camera (or the lens) through the bars of the gates to get my shots (and zoom in).
Never the less some of the shots you can't even tell that I took them through the gates (apart from the ones with the gates in the shots).
McGregor was one of the founders of the Football League in 1888. Aston Villa was one of the 12 founding members of the first ever Football League.
It does look nice surrounded by the snow.
Does snow not settle on bronze statues?
This was what I was faced with, the claret and blue gates / fences. Behind the statue is the Trinity Road Reception.
The statue was sculpted by Sam Holland, who took references from photos and a portrait in the McGregor Suite.
I got off my Cross City train at Aston, as I was heading to Perry Barr (on the Chase Line).
Aston is one of two stations that serves Villa Park. The othe being Witton (although Witton looks closer to Villa Park from the train).
London Midland trains at Aston (mostly Class 323).
Approaching Aston is London Midland 323206 (for Longbridge I think).
I got the train one way to Aston Station from Birmingham New Street, just to see the turntable unveiled by HS2 at the Curzon Street site.
After that I had a quick look around Thimble Mill Lane near the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal before getting a bus back into town from Lichfield Road.
There was no football at Villa Park, as all football games in the UK have been cancelled / postponed for at least a month.
Saw this view up the Lichfield Road from the bus stop for the 65 and 67 buses.
Missed taking some West Midlands Railway train photos (as wasn't expecting this view). So took this motorbike and bus instead!
Ashley Young for Adidas, shot back in May. There's lots more info on the Jermain Defoe shot, and it was setup exactly the same way.
There's a setup shot here, which may be of some use.
Don't ask me about the photoshopping - it was handled by the PR agency, and is way beyond my humble skills!
Blog: www.photosmudger.com/
This is the historic church down the road from Villa Park. It makes the perfect snowy wintery scene what with all that snow.
It is a Grade II* listed building, currently listed as the Anglican Church of Ss Peter & Paul. It was formerly listed as the Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul, Witton Lane, Witton. But it is actually in Aston. It is quite close to the Aston Expressway - A38(M).
It is the only church in Birmingham mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086 (although nothing from that time remains). The current church dates from the 15th to the 19th centuries.
Selected details from Heritage Gateway:
An Anglican parish church, originating before 1086, though nothing visible survives from this date. The west tower dates from the C15, with its spire renewed in 1776-7 by John Cheshire (circa 1739-1812); otherwise the church dates from 1879-90, with the south porch added in 1908, all to designs by Julius Alfred Chatwin (1830-1907). The church is constructed from brownish-grey sandstone, under slate roofs.
The building is set on a moulded sandstone plinth, and has angle buttresses and pitched roofs. There is a west tower of four stages with angle buttresses, three-light windows and an unusual treatment of the bell stage, which has rows of segment-headed recesses with two tiers of trefoil-headed panels; the central pair are louvred, those flanking are blind. The stages are marked by moulded string courses. The tower is surmounted by an elegant, broachless octagonal spire. The tower, nave and chancel have unifying crenellations. The aisle windows and those to the south (Erdington) chapel have simple Y-tracery, with drip moulds and some head stops, in part to accommodate stained glass from the earlier church. The clerestory has windows of three lights, with cusped heads and trefoils in Decorated tracery above. The nave and chancel are continuous, the transition between the two marked by large pinnacles with gargoyles at their bases. The high, five-sided chancel has tall buttresses with multiple off-sets, and three-light windows with continuous mullions, those to the sides with similar tracery to those in the clerestory. Nave, chancel and chapel have gargoyles and moulded detailing.
Anglican Church of St Peter & St Paul - Heritage Gateway
The church spire. A cockerel on the spire.
This is the historic church down the road from Villa Park. It makes the perfect snowy wintery scene what with all that snow.
It is a Grade II* listed building, currently listed as the Anglican Church of Ss Peter & Paul. It was formerly listed as the Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul, Witton Lane, Witton. But it is actually in Aston. It is quite close to the Aston Expressway - A38(M).
It is the only church in Birmingham mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086 (although nothing from that time remains). The current church dates from the 15th to the 19th centuries.
Selected details from Heritage Gateway:
An Anglican parish church, originating before 1086, though nothing visible survives from this date. The west tower dates from the C15, with its spire renewed in 1776-7 by John Cheshire (circa 1739-1812); otherwise the church dates from 1879-90, with the south porch added in 1908, all to designs by Julius Alfred Chatwin (1830-1907). The church is constructed from brownish-grey sandstone, under slate roofs.
The building is set on a moulded sandstone plinth, and has angle buttresses and pitched roofs. There is a west tower of four stages with angle buttresses, three-light windows and an unusual treatment of the bell stage, which has rows of segment-headed recesses with two tiers of trefoil-headed panels; the central pair are louvred, those flanking are blind. The stages are marked by moulded string courses. The tower is surmounted by an elegant, broachless octagonal spire. The tower, nave and chancel have unifying crenellations. The aisle windows and those to the south (Erdington) chapel have simple Y-tracery, with drip moulds and some head stops, in part to accommodate stained glass from the earlier church. The clerestory has windows of three lights, with cusped heads and trefoils in Decorated tracery above. The nave and chancel are continuous, the transition between the two marked by large pinnacles with gargoyles at their bases. The high, five-sided chancel has tall buttresses with multiple off-sets, and three-light windows with continuous mullions, those to the sides with similar tracery to those in the clerestory. Nave, chancel and chapel have gargoyles and moulded detailing.
Anglican Church of St Peter & St Paul - Heritage Gateway
A War Memorial in the churchyard of St Peter & St Paul, Aston. Dedicated to the memory of the 8th Battalian The Royal Warwickshire Regiment in the First and Second World Wars. For those who served in France and Belgium.
A upside down poppy wreath (I didn't want to touch it to turn it the correct way round).
Southampton FC v Aston Villa FC at St Mary's Southampton. Saints last home game of 2014 / 2015 season. Saints 6 Villa 1. Sado Mane scored the fastest ever hat trick in the Premier League, scoring 3 goals in 2 minutes and 56 seconds!
This is Witton Station, the closest train station to Villa Park, home of Aston Villa FC (Aston Station is further away from the stadium).
The station first opened in 1837. The current shelters date to the 1950s.
The shelter on platform 2.
This is Witton Station, the closest train station to Villa Park, home of Aston Villa FC (Aston Station is further away from the stadium).
The station first opened in 1837. The current shelters date to the 1950s.
The shelter on platform 2.
This is the historic church down the road from Villa Park. It makes the perfect snowy wintery scene what with all that snow.
It is a Grade II* listed building, currently listed as the Anglican Church of Ss Peter & Paul. It was formerly listed as the Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul, Witton Lane, Witton. But it is actually in Aston. It is quite close to the Aston Expressway - A38(M).
It is the only church in Birmingham mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086 (although nothing from that time remains). The current church dates from the 15th to the 19th centuries.
Selected details from Heritage Gateway:
An Anglican parish church, originating before 1086, though nothing visible survives from this date. The west tower dates from the C15, with its spire renewed in 1776-7 by John Cheshire (circa 1739-1812); otherwise the church dates from 1879-90, with the south porch added in 1908, all to designs by Julius Alfred Chatwin (1830-1907). The church is constructed from brownish-grey sandstone, under slate roofs.
The building is set on a moulded sandstone plinth, and has angle buttresses and pitched roofs. There is a west tower of four stages with angle buttresses, three-light windows and an unusual treatment of the bell stage, which has rows of segment-headed recesses with two tiers of trefoil-headed panels; the central pair are louvred, those flanking are blind. The stages are marked by moulded string courses. The tower is surmounted by an elegant, broachless octagonal spire. The tower, nave and chancel have unifying crenellations. The aisle windows and those to the south (Erdington) chapel have simple Y-tracery, with drip moulds and some head stops, in part to accommodate stained glass from the earlier church. The clerestory has windows of three lights, with cusped heads and trefoils in Decorated tracery above. The nave and chancel are continuous, the transition between the two marked by large pinnacles with gargoyles at their bases. The high, five-sided chancel has tall buttresses with multiple off-sets, and three-light windows with continuous mullions, those to the sides with similar tracery to those in the clerestory. Nave, chancel and chapel have gargoyles and moulded detailing.
Anglican Church of St Peter & St Paul - Heritage Gateway
The church spire.